Vented easy opening can



Das, l?, J. s.l BozEK VENTED EASY OPENING CAN` original Filed Nov. 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JOHN S. BozEK Y ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1968 J. S. BOZEK VENTED EASY OPENING CAN Original Filed Noy. v1,3, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 151GB v INVENTOR mm SBDZEK ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,416,699 VENTED EASY OPENING CAN John S. Bozek, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Continental Can Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Continuation of application Ser. No. 410,868, Nov. 13, 1964. This application Sept. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 665,642

Claims. (Cl. 220-54) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure has to do with a can end which is particularly adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a can in which a product is packaged at a pressure other than atmospheric pressure. The can end is provided with a removable panel portion to which a pull tab is attached at one end thereof for effecting the rupture of the can end and the tearing out of the removable panel portion. A portion of the can end which is stressed, but normally not ruptured in the opening of the can is provided with a weakening line so as to effect an initial rupture of the can end prior to the rupture thereof along the periphery of the removable panel portion whereby equalizing of the pressure within the can with atmospheric pressure will be effected before the can end is ruptured in the removal of the removable panel. portion.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 410,868, iiled Nov. 13, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in container constructions and more particularly to a novel can particularly adpated for the packaging of products under a gaseous pressure.

When a product is packaged within a can of the type having an easy opening end and the product is packaged under gaesous pressure, as the opening of the can is initiated by an initial tearing away of the tear strip of the can end, the container is immediately vented. This venting takes place through the initial. opening formed in the can end as the end panel thereof is ruptured in the tearing away of the tear strip thereof. However, the initial opening in most instances is sufliciently wide to permit the escaping gas to carry both liquids and iine granular products. This, of course, is undesirable.

In View of the foregoing, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a novel easy opening can end which is of a construction whereby as the tear strip thereof is being ruptured with respect to the remainder of the can end, the stresses imposed upon the can end adjacent the starting end of the tear strip will automatically result in the rupturing of the can end to define a vent opening in advance of the tearing away of the tear strip, the resultant vent opening being very narrow so as to exclude for all practical purposes the carrying of the product of the can by the escaping gases.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a can end of the easy opening type which includes a removable tear strip having secured to a starting end thereof means defining a vent opening, the means deiining a vent opening in the form of a weakening line extending in the end panel immediately adjacent the starting end of the tear strip and in an area of the end panel of the can end which is stressed in the initial rupturing of the tear strip from the remainder of the end panel so that prior to the actual rupture of the end panel to release the tear strip, the end panel ruptures along the weakening line so as to form a very narrow vent opening.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a can end of the easy opening type automatic venting rice means, the can end having a tear strip which includes a starting end to which a pull tab is secured, and the automatic venting means being in the form of a score line disposed immediately adjacent the starting end of the tear strip and underlying the pull tab whereby the weakened area of the end panel deiined by the score line is normally protected by the pull tab.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel package which includes a container having disposed therein a product under the influence of pressurized gas, the container including a container end `of the easy opening type which includes a tear strip tearable therefrom, the tear strip having a starting end upon which an upwardly directed force is applied in rupturing the container end to thereby eifect a local stressing of the end panel adjacent the starting end of the tear strip, and the stressed area of the container end having a weakening line extending transversely of the starting end of the tear strip whereby when the end panel is stressed, the end panel will first rupture along the weakening line and a vent opening directed away from the starting end of the tear strip will result, thereby not only automatically venting the gas from the container, but also directing the gas away from the person holding the container.

Still another object of thtis invention is to provide a novel can end of the automatic venting type wherein the end panel of the can end is provided with a weakening line disposed in a position adjacent a nose of an associated pull tab whereby when the pull tab is lifted and the nose is brought into pressure engagement with the end panel of the can end, rupture along the weakening line to effect the venting of the associated can prior to the tearing away of a tear strip to which the pull tab is attached, will occur.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel can end in accordance with the foregoing object wherein the weakening line for effecting the formation of a vent opening in the can end is in the tear strip whereby a pull tab with a rounded nose will effect the rupture of the end panel along the weakening line as the pull tab is lifted.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a can end of the easy opening type having a tear strip to which a pull tab is attached, novel venting means, the venting means being in the form of weakening lines disposed on opposite sides of the tear strip, and the pull tab having a relatively square end terminating adjacent the weakening lines whereby when the pull tab is lifted to effect the tearing away of the tear strip, the downward pressure exerted by the square end of the pull tab on the end panel of the can end will result in the initial rupture of the end panel along the weakening lines prior to the tearing away of the tear strip whereby venting of the associated can will occur prior to the opening of the can be the removal of the tear strip.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a package formed in accordance with this invention and shows specifically the details of the end of the can which forms the container of the package.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and shows specifically the details of the easy opening feature of the can end and the means for effecting the automatic Venting of the can end.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentaly Vertical sectional view taken through the central portion of the can end and shows in solid lines how an initial upward movement of the pull tab will effect a stressing of the can end to rupture the same and effect a venting thereof, the pull tab being shown in a tear strip removing position in phantom lines.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 and shows further the details of the -vent opening formed in the can end.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of another form of can formed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5 and shows the specific relationship of the score line for effecting the formation of a vent opening with respect to the remainder of the easy opening features of the can end.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of FIGURE 6 and shows more specifically the position of the weakening line for effecting the venting of the can, the position of the pull tab being shown in phantom lines.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG- URE 6 and shows how the end panel is initially ruptured along the weakening line prior to the tearing away of the tear strip.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary plan `view of still another form of can end construction and shows the specific relationship of weakening lines formed in the end panel thereof for forming vent openings.

FIGURE l0 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 10-10` of FIGURE 9 and shows more specifically the details of the weakening lines.

FIGURE ll is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 11-11 of FIGURE 9 and shows the manner in which the end panel of the end can is ruptured to effect the venting of an associated can prior to the tearing away of the tear strip of the can end.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a package which is generally referred to by the numeral 15. The package 15 includes a container in the form of a can which is generally referred to by the numeral 16. The can 16 is formed of a conventional type of can body 17 which has the lower end thereof (not shown) closed in a conventional manner. The upper end of the can body 17 is closed by a can end of the easy opening type incorporating the novel features of this invention, the can end being generally referred to by the numeral 18. It will be seen that the can end 18 is secured to the -upper end of the can body 17 by means of a conventional double seam 19.

The can end 18 includes an outer chuck Wall 20 which forms part of the double seam 19. Immediately adjacent the chuck wall 20, the can end 18 is provided with a recessed shock absorbing rib 21. The shock absorbing rib 21 defines an end panel 22.

The end panel 22 is provided with a circumferential score line 23 immediately adjacent the shock absorbing bead 21. The score line 23 lhas a terminal portion 24 which extends inwardly towards the center of the end panel 22. A second circumferential score line 25 is disposed inwardly of the score line 23 and is generally concentric therewith. The score line 25 has an inwardly directed terminal portion 26. The terminal portions 24 and 26 are connected together by a generally U-shaped starting score line portion 27. It is to be understood that the various score line portions define a removable tear strip 28 which, when torn from the remainder of the can end 18 permits the entire end panel 22 to be removed.

The illustrated can end 18 has the tear strip 28 thereof reinforced by a circumferential bead 30. In addition, the central portion of the end panel 22 is reinforced by a plurality of stepped panels 31 and 32 which will not be described in detail here.

The tear strip 18 has a starting portion 33 which is defined by the terminal score line portions 24 and 26 and the score line starting portion 27. The starting end or portion 33 of the tear strip is provided with an integral rivet 34 by means of which a pull tab 35 .is rigidly secured to the starting end 33 of the tear strip.

The can 16 is illustrated as containing a product 36 which is packaged under the inuence of gas. Normally, the space within the can 16, which space is referred to by the numeral 37, is filled with a gas under pressure. This gas will vary depending upon the product which is packaged within the can 16. The product 36 has been illustrated as being of a granular type although it may be of any type, either solid or liquid. The can 16 has been particularly developed for the packaging of coffee which is packaged under pressure and which is granular in nature. However, the invention is not so restricted in that the package 15 may contain a product which is a liquid, which is formed of large chunks, which is a semi-liquid, or a granular product. Furthermore, the granular product is not limited to coffee. The product may be in the form y of chemicals, medicines, food products, and various industrial products.

When the above-described package 15 is opened, the pull tab 35 is lifted upwardly in the manner generally shown in FIGURE 3. The upward movement of the pull tab 35 exerts an upwardly directed force on the rivet 34 with the result that the rivet 34 tends to move the starting end 33 of the pull tab 28 upwardly. The adjacent portion of the end panel 22 is also stressed. When a suicient stressing of the end panel takes place to effect the rupture thereof along the score line starting portion 27, due to the relatively great force applied by means of the pull -tab 35 and due to the fact that the gaseous pressure Within the can 16 is acting on the pull tab, there is an immediate movement of the starting end of the tear strip to at least the position illustrated in phantom lines in FIGURE 3. As a result, a relatively large opening is instantaneously formed in the end panel 22. The gases under pressure within the can 16 immediately rush out through the opening so formed in the end panel 22 carrying, in many instances, the product 36 therewith. This, of course, is undesirable.

the starting end 33 of the score line. The score line 38,`

as is clearly shown in FIGURE-4, extends transversely of the starting end 33 of the tear strip 28. When the pull tab 35 is initially lifted, the end panel 22 is stressed in the area of the score line 38 with the result that the end panel 22 iirst ruptures along the score line 38. When the end v panel 22 ruptures along the score line 38, a vent opening 39 is formed and this vent opening, as is clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, faces away from the starting end of the tear strip. Furthermore, the vent passage 39 is shielded by the pull tab 35. Accordingly, the escaping Agases from within the can 16 are directed away from the person opening the can. Furthermore, since the vent opening is in the form of a narrow crack, it will be readily apparent that the tiow of liquids and solids with the escaping gases is for all practical purposes prevented and when the product packaged within the can is a granular product,

it cannot pass through the vent opening 39.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 through 8 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of can which is generally referred to by the numeral 46. The can 46 is formed of a conventional can body 47 to which there is attached by means of a conventional double seam 48 a can end formed in accordance with this invention, the can end being generally referred to by the numeral 49. The can end 49 is of the easy opening type and includes an end panel 50 of which a major portion is adapted to be removed in the opening of the can 46.

The end panel 50 is provided with a circumferential score line 51 which has a starting portion 52 that extends inwardly generally towards the center of the end panel 50. The end panel 50 is also provided with a second score line 53 which is disposed generally concentric to the score line 51, but extends only along a portion of the extent of the score line 51. The score line 53- has a starting portion 54 which cooperates with the starting portion 52 to define a tear strip starting portion 55 which is a continuation of a primary tear strip 56 defined by the score lines 51 and 53. It is also to be noted that the score line portions 52 and 54 are connected together by a starting score line portion 57 which is best shown in FIGURE 7.

The end panel 50 also has a recessed central panel portion 58 which reinforces the center of the end panel 50. It is to be noted that the score line 53 terminates into the panel portion 58, as at 59.

In order to facilitate the removal of the major portion of the end panel 50, the tear strip starting portion 5S is provided with an integral rivet 60 which is utilized for the purpose of securing a pull tab 61 to the tear strip portion 55. The pull tab 61 is preferably formed of sheet metal and is reinforced so as to be relatively rigid. The pull tab 61 has a rounded nose 62 which generally overlies the tear strip starting portion 55 and which generally functions as a pivot in order to direct a lifting force onto the tear strip portion 55 along the score line portion 57.

In the normal opening of the can 46, the pull tab 61 is lifted until the end panel 50 ruptures along the score line portion 57. Then a pull is exerted on the pull tab 61 to tear first the tear strip portion 55 from the end panel 50, followed by the tearing of the tear strip 56 therefrom. As a pull is continued to be exerted on the pull tab 61, the end panel 50 is completely torn along the score line 51 and all of the end panel 50 within the confines of the score line 51 is removed.

In accordance with this invention, when the can 46 has a product packaged therein under pressure, it is desired to vent the gas under pressure from within the can 46 prior to the tearing of the tear strip 55 therefrom. The can end 49 is particularly configurated to take advantage of the force exerted on the end panel 50 by the rounded nose 62 of the pull tab 61. The end panel 50 is provided with a transverse weakening line or score line 63 which extends transversely of the tear strip starting portion 55 immediately adjacent the rivet 60, as is clearly shown in FIGURE 7. It is to be noted that the weakening line 63 is positioned immediately adjacent the point where the nose 62 of the pull tab 61 will engage the tear strip starting portion 55.

The depth of the score defining the weakening line 63 is such that when the pull tab 61 is lifted upwardly in the normal manner for effecting the tearing of the tear strip portion 55 from the end panel 50, the force exerted thereon by the pull tab nose 62 will be sufficient to effect the rupture of the end panel 50 along the weakening line 63, as is shown in FIGURE 8, prior to the rupture of the end panel along the score line portion 57. The rupture of the end panel 50 along the weakening line 63 will result in the formation of a vent opening 64, as is shown in FIGURE 8. The vent opening 64 will permit sufficient venting of the can 46 prior to the rupture of the end panel 50 along the score line 57 as the upward movement of the pull tab 61 continues so as to prevent any undesired effects of the pressure within the can 46 on the tear strip starting portion 55.

Referring now to FIGURES 9, and 1l, it will be seen that there is illustrated a can, generally referred to by the numeral 66 which includes a can body 67 having secured thereto by means of a conventional double seam 68 another easy opening'can end formed in accordance with this invention, the can end being generally referred to by the numeral 69. The can end is of the same construction as the can end 49 with the exception of the specific manner in which venting of the can 66 is effected prior to the opening of the can be tearing away the tear strip thereof. In view of the fact that the tear strip opening features of the can end 69 are identical with those of the can end 49, only those features thereof specifically illustrated in the drawings will be described here.

The can end 69 incl-udes an end panel 70 having formed therein score line portions 71 and 72 which define a tear strip portion 73. The tear strip portion 73 has a starting end which is provided with an integral rivet 74 by means of which a pull tab 75 is securely fixed to the tear strip portion 73. When an upwardly directed force is applied to the pull tab 75 at the end thereof remote from the rivet 74, a stress is placed on the metal of the end panel 70 with the result that rupture will occur along a starting score line portion 76 which score line portion connects together the score line portions 71 and 72.

In order to facilitate the venting of the can 66 prior to the actual opening thereof for dispensing purposes, the end panel 70 is provided with a pair of generally angular weakening line arrangements 77, Each of the weakening line arrangements 77 is disposed immediately adjacent one of the score line portions 71 and 72 with the weakening line arrangements 77 being in transversely aligned relation on opposite sides of the tear strip poriton 3. It is also to lbe noted that the pull tab 75 has a square cut end 78 adjacent the rivet 74, and that the corners of the pull tab 75 at the square cut end thereof are bracketed by the weakening line arrangements 77.

When the pull tab 7S is lifted for the purpose of rupturing the end panel 70 along the score line starting portion 76, the square cut end 78 thereof bears on the end panel 70 across the tear strip portion 73 immediately adjacent the weakening line arrangements 77. Prior to the time that rupture of the end panel 70 takes place along the starting score line portion 76, rupture of the end panel 70 will take place along the weakening line arrangements 77, as is shown in FIGURE l1, to form a pair of transversely aligned vent openings 80. Thus, gases under pressure within the can 66 may escape. As the pull tab 75 is continued to be lifted, the stresses in the end panel 70 along the starting score line portion 76 will become sufficient for the rupture of the end panel 70 along the score lines thereof so that the tear strip portion 73 may be removed in the opening of the can 66.

It is pointed out at this time that although only preferred types of can ends have been specifically illustrated and described, the principles of this invention can be incorporated in all types of can ends of the broad type having removable tear strips. For example, the tear strips may be only of sufficient extent to permit the dispensing of a liquid from a can. At this time, particular reference is also made to the advantages of the position of the weakening line 38 with respect to the pull tab 25 in that the pull tab 25 serves to protect the can end along the weakening line 3S so as to prevent accidental rupture thereof.

Although only several preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically illustrated and described herein, minor modifications may be made in the can end constructions disposed herein within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an easy opening container, a panel, a weakening line in said panel defining a removable panel portion, a pull tab, securing means connecting said pull tab to said removable panel portion for facilitating the rupture of said panel along said weakening line, said pull tab being in the form of a lever and including a nose portion and a lift portion disposed on opposite sides of said securing means whereby when said lift portion is lifted a predetermined portion of said panel will be upwardly stressed, an a further weakening line in said panel predetermined portion for automatically effecting the initial rupture of said panel upon the lifting of said pull tab lift portion.

2. The easy opening container panel of claim 1 wherein said further weakening line underlies said pull tab lift portion and is protected thereby.

3. The easy opening container panel of claim 1 wherein said further weakening line extends transversely of said pull tab and is generally centered relative thereto.

4. The easy opening container panel of claim 1 wherein said panel is an end panel of a container end, said removable panel portion constitutes a major portion of said end panel, and said further weakening line is formed in said removable panel portion.

S. In an easy opening container for products packaged under pressure at a pressure other than atmospheric, a panel having a portion thereof removable by exerting a removal force thereon of the type stressing an area of said panel adjacent said removable portion, and a part of said panel being weakened in said stressable area to define a vent opening when the container is being opened whereby when a force is exerted on said panel for the purpose of removing said removable portion said panel will rupture along said weakened part to automatically relieve the pressure in the container in advance of the rupture of said panel in the removal of said removable portion.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein said weakened is defined by a weakening line.

7. The container of claim 5 wherein said removable portion is deiined by a weakening line.

8. The container of claim 5 wherein said removable portion is defined by a first weakening line, and said said weakened part is defined by a second weakening line.

9. In an easy opening container for products packaged under pressure, a panel having a portion thereof removable by exerting a removal force thereon in a predetermined direction, and said panel having means for auto.- matically venting the container upon the application of an opening force thereto and directing vented gases away from said predetermined direction.

10. In an easy opening container end, an end panel, a removable tear strip defined in said end panel, said tear strip having a starting end, a pull tab attached to said starting end for upwardly stressing an area of said end panel adjacent said starting end, and means in said end panel stressable area for automatically fcilitating the venting of said end panel in a direction generally opposite to the direction of movement of said pull tab when removing said tear strip.

11. The container end of claim wherein said pull tab normally overlies and protects said venting means.

12. A package comprising a container containing a part product packaged at a pressure other than atmospheric, said container including an end having an end panel, said end panel having a portion thereof removable by exerting a removal force thereon of the type stressing an area of said panel adjacent said removable portion, and a part of said panel being weakened in said stressable area to define a vent opening when the container is being opened whereby when a force is exerted on said panel for the purpose of removing said removable portion said panel will rupture along said weakened part to automatically vent the container, said weakened part being other than that dening said removable portion.

13. In an easy opening container end, an end panel, a removable panel portion deiined in said end panel, said removable panel portion having a rupture initiating part, a pull tab attached solely to said removable panel portion for upwardly stressing an area of said end panel adjacent the connection between said pull tab and said removable panel portion, said pull tab having an end adapted to bear against said end panel and apply a downwardly directed stress in said end panel when said pull tab is lifted, and said end panel having a line of weakening therein other than that defining said removable panel portion and generally aligned with said pull tab whereby when an initial stressing of said end panel occurs said end panel will rupture.

14. The container end of claim 13 wherein said removable panel portion includes a tear strip to which said pull tab is directly connected, said last mentioned line of weakening is aligned with said pull tab end, said pull tab end is wider than said tear strip and extends to both sides thereof, and said last mentioned weakening line is disposed immediately adjacent said tear strip and on both sides thereof.

15. The container end of claim 13 wherein said pull tab will also upwardly stress said end panel adjacent said connection between said pull tab and said removable panel portion on the side thereof remote from said pull tab end, and said last mentioned line of weakening underlies said pull tab in the upwardly stressable area.

References Cited i Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1938 Sebell 220-54 5/1966 Fraze 220-54 U.S. Cl. XR. 220-44 

